Yes, the Lisbon festivities are back
and promise lots of joy, entertainment and memorable concerts
The Lisbon Festivals are transversal: in age, geography, accessibility and diversity.
Intergenerational, throughout the city, mostly free and multicultural, the Festivities program is a meeting point for popular traditions and different communities, mandatory in June.
This year the Popular Marches parade on Avenida da Liberdade, on June 12th, begins with a special moment: the Dragon Dance, by the General Sports Association of Macau Lo Leong (guest group), commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macau Special Administrative Region.
Even before the night of Santo António, the Marches perform for the first time to the public and the jury at the pavilion exhibitions, at the MEO Arena (May 31st, June 1st and 2nd). Three nights for neighbourhoods to tell their stories and make their people known through costumes and choreography, taking inspiration from this edition, in addition to Lisbon, from the Tagus River – the theme of the Grand March 2024.
The main patron saint of the city of Lisbon is the protagonist of other traditions, inseparable from the Festivities , such as the exciting Weddings, the popular Thrones and the lively Corrida de Santo António.
And as there are no Festivals without them, there are 15 Popular Arraias included in the program to enjoy in eight parishes in the city.
Music is another of the strong points of these Festivities, with unmissable concerts ranging from fado to jazz, including Portuguese popular music, dancehall, R&B and classical music.
Tony Carreira and Richie Campbell are the artists who take the stage at Terreiro do Paço, closing the Lisbon Festivities in the best way possible, at the end of June. Two great shows are included in the Porta da Europa Festival, financed by the Lisbon Tourism Development Fund. On the 29th, the romantic singer, with more than three decades of career, performs some of his biggest hits, alongside special guests and accompanied by a 16-string orchestra. On the 30th it is the turn of one of the most successful artists of the 2010s, with a show created “for and by Lisbon” that will bring together other guest musicians on stage.
Mariza is the voice of a unique fado night, at Castelo de S. Jorge (20th), to hear the songs from her new album and hits from a long career, such as “Chuva” and “Ó gente da minha terra”.
Classical music in the Grand Auditorium of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, with a musical journey to Europe in the 19th and 20th centuries, and jazz, with seven concerts in Largo do Picadeiro, with national and international artists, are other musical highlights.
CineConchas, with open-air cinema sessions at Quinta das Conchas, and Arraial Pride, in Terreiro do Paço, maintain their residency at the Lisbon Festivals, which also give space to various exhibitions highlighting contemporary art – an exhibition designed by Maria do Mar Fazenda for Galeria Quadrum, with works by several visual artists (patent until September 8), and another that brings together works of art acquired by the Lisbon City Council, in 2023, in the Torreão Nascente da Cordoaria Nacional (the from May 23rd). Also during this month, on the 26th, the Lisbon Museum – Palácio Pimenta opens the exhibition Lisbon in Revolution, 1383-1974. Curated by Daniel Alves, this exhibition is part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the 25th of April and includes works from the Museum’s collections and pieces donated by dozens of institutions.
Many other festivals include the Lisbon Festivities, such as the Bollywood Holi Festival and Mercado da India, in the Hindu Community of Portugal (2nd), the Korean Culture Festival, at the Lisbon Museum – Palácio Pimenta (8th), the Thai Festival (between the 21st and 23rd) and the Japan Festival (29th), at Jardim Vasco da Gama, in Belém.
And because the festivities are for the whole city and everyone, this year they go hand in hand with Rock in Rio, crossing audiences and redoubling the enthusiasm.
Yesterday was the World Day of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development and there could not have been a better date for the presentation of the Lisbon Festivities.
Until July!
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.
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